Washington Township (part 2 of 3)

THOMAS JACKSON BATES, an old settler and farmer of Monroe County, was born in Tennessee May 7, 1820, and is the third of the five children born to Charles and Eda (McCoUan) Bates, natives of Virginia and Kentucky respectively. The family came to Bloomington, this county, in 1830, remained a few months, then went to Illinois, but returned to Bloomington in 1832. December 13, 1840, Mr. Bates married Mary Hendrickson, daughter of Ezekiel and Susan (Walls) Hendrickson, and a native of Lawrence County. Two children, Charles D. and Ezekiel, were born to this marriage. Mrs. Bates died September 28, 1854, and on August 3, 1856, Mr. Bates married Eliza Smith, of Miami County, Ind. , a native of Monroe County, and daughter of Hugh and Jane (Giddings) Corr. To this union have been born the following children- Thomas Jefferson, who was born May 20, 1857, in Miami County, and who married, February 26, 1883, Nettie Billings, of Daviess County, and daughter of Jesse and Sarah (Miller) Billings; Martha E. and Mary Jane (twins), Laura, Sarah, Maria and Hattie. Mr. Bates settled on hia present farm in 1859, and is the owner of 180 acres; he was formerly a Grander and in politics is a Democrat. His father was a soldier in the war of 1812; his wife's mother is an inmate of his home, and is in her pinety-seventh year; his wife's father, Hugh Corr, settled in Bloomington Township m 1821 and finally settled where Hindostan now standi m Washington Township.

(Cunningham) Campbell, natives respectively of County Antrim and County Berry, Ireland, and of Scotch descent. The parents of our subject came to the United States in 1843, landed at New Orleans, came to this State, located near Bloomington, and remained until 1858, at which time he bought a farm. Here our subject remained until June, 1861, when he enlisted in Company F, Twenty -seventh Indiana Eegiment, and was engaged at "Winchester, Cedar Mountain, Antietam (where he was wounded in the right side), Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, where he received a wound in the left thigh) and Besaca (where his left arm was broken), which finished his service, being discharged September 13, 1864. June 24, 1866, he married Martha J., daughter of Eobert and Angeline Williams. This union produced three children - Eobert Henry, James Homer and John Lewis; also, by adoption, John W. Maginnis. Mr. Campbell is the owner of seventy-four acres in Bloomington Township, which is improved by a good residence, buildings, orchard, fences, etc. He is an active Eepublican, has served two terms as Township Trustee, and he and wife, like his father and mother, are members of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Campbell is a worthy and progressive citizen, and is a member of the G. A. E.

THOMAS J. FAEE, farmer and stock-raiser, was born January 1, 1844, in Eay Township, this county, and is the sixth of twelve children born to Jefferson and Sarah (Miller) Farr, natives of Kentucky and of English descent. Thomas was reared to farming, but attended school during the winter seasons. April, 1862, he enlisted in Company H, Thirty-third Indiana Eegiment, during which service he was promoted to be Sergeant, and took part at- Thompson's .Station (where he was captured and afterward confined in Libby Prison for nineteen days), Murfreesboro, Eesaca, Peach Tree Creek, Atlanta and the march to the sea; he w£is discharged May, 1865. March 20, 1866, he married Susan, daughter of Martin and Sarah Goble, to which union were born six children - Howard, Sarah C, Jefferson V., Thaettie, Julia A. and Willard N. (deceased March 15, 1883). Mr. Farr has a good farm of 540 acres, supplied with stock and well improved, making alike a comfortable home and valuable property, almost all of which is the result of his wise administration and honest industry, thus marking his life a success. He is a Eepublican in political faith and has served two terms as Township Trustee. Mrs. Farr is a member of the Baptist Church.

MAHLON HACKEE is a native of Clay County, Ky., was born December 4, 1829, and is one of the family of Valentine and Mary (Spires) Hacker, natives of Tennessee; the former of German, the latter of Irish descent. Mahlon Hacker 'was reared on the farm and obtained but little schooling in his youthful days. When sixteen years of age, he left home and undertook his own living by working by the month or by the day.> When a young man, he married Nancy Fulford, of this county, a union which was smiled upon by nine children, of whom seven are living - F. T., Jonathan, Mary E. (now Mrs. McDonald), C. J., Florence M., Andrew W. and Isabel D. Mr. Hacker is the possessor of 120 acres and also a partner in a half section of timber land. August, 1862, he enlisted in Company B, Sixty-seventh Eegiment Indiana Volunteers, and participated in the battles of Munfordville (when he was captured and paroled), and at Arkansas Post; he was discharged April, 1863, and reenlisted as a veteran in October, 1864, and was therefrom discharged May, 1865. Mr. Hacker is a worthy citizen; in politics, Eepublican, and he and wife are honored as members of the Baptist Church.

JOSEPH A. HA.DDEN was born in Washington Township, this county, March 1, 1854, and is the second of the five children born to Jacob and Jane (Martin) Hadden - the latter a native of North Carolina and of German and Irish origin. He was educated in the common schools, and assisted his mother in the management of the home farm until married, April 20, 1883, to Mrs. Mary A. Johnson, of Monroe County, a daughter of Michael and Rebecca (Barnett) Fleener. Mrs. Hadden owns 440 acres of land in a good state of cultivation and improved with a good residence and outbuildings. Mr. Hadden is proprietor of a firstclass saw mill, and also owns considerable live stock. In politics, he is a Democrat, and he and wife are members of the Christian Church.

JAMES J. HUBBARD is a native of this county, was born May 28, 1838, and is the youngest of the eleven children of John and Nancy (Weddel) Hubbard; the former a native of North Carolina, the latter of Virginia, and respectively of German and English extraction. Our subject was reared on a farm and had but very spare advantages for education. He resided with his parents until October 7, 1859, at which period he married Indiana Twomey.of Brown County, which union was productive of five children - Laura A., Elmira C, James A., William T. (deceased) and Virginia; Mrs. Hubbard died November, 1872: and October 10, 1878, he wedded Mary Jane Weddel, of this county, but a native of Kentucky, and by this union came into the world five children, of which number four are living - Belzora E., Mary E., Clara I. and Ada J. In 1863, Mr. Hubbard was in the service at Indianapolis for three months. He has a good home and farm; has the respect of his community, and is in politics a member of the National party. " He is a member of the Christian Church, and his wife of the Baptist Church.

THOMAS MAGENIS is a native of County Clare. Ireland, was bom December 17, 1835, and is the sixth of the family of twelve of Timothy and f'rances (Frost) Magenis, the former a native of County Down, the latter of County Clare, Ireland, and both of Scotch descent. Thomas was reared on a farm in Ireland, and when fourteen years of age his parents emigrated to America. After living in Goshen, N. Y., five years, he moved to this State in 1856, and settled in this township, where he labored by the month. March 23, 1861, he married Mary E., daughter of John and Rebecca Garrett This union was smiled on by five children - Emma (deceased), Maggie F., George W., Anna S. and Minnie E. August. 7, 1861, Mr. Magenis enlisted in Company F, Twenty- seventh Indiana Regiment, serving at the battles of Winchester, Cedar Mountain and Antietam (where he was wounded in the arm, leg and breast). He was discharged September 1, 1864, and located for one year in Washington Township. In 1865, he moved to the farm he now occupies, -comprising 188 acres of well-improved land, and containing comfortable residence, barns, orchard, etc. He also owns forty acres in Washington Township, all of which is alone due to his energy and tact. In 1864, he was elected Real Estate Appraiser of this county and township; Trustee in 1876, and was twice appointed Assessor. Mr. Magenis is a Democrat, and a member of the G. A. R.

JAMES P. RIDDLE, one of Monroe County's enterprising youns farmers, was born in this township February 6, 1848, and is the youngest of the seven children born to G. M. and Margaret (Thomson) RidSle, natives of Kentucky. He was educated at the common schools, and assisted on the home farm until he was married, November 12, 1871 to

Eliza A. Fleener, of this county, and daughter of Michael and Rebecca (Barnett) Fleener. To his marriage have been born six children - "William, James H., Mintia May, Amanda E., Joha and Rebecca. Mr. Riddle is the owner of a farm of 190 acres, well improved, with a commodious residence, barn and other outbuildings, two orchards, etc., mostly acquired by his own perseverance and industry. He formerly was a member of the Grange. In politics, he is a Democrat, and he and his wife are members of the Baptist and Christian Churches respectively.

JOHN M. TOMEY, farmer, was born in Augusta County, Va., April 17, 1834, and is the sixth of the twelve children born to Michael and Mary (Lockridge) Tomey, natives of Virginia, and of Scotch and German descent respectively. The family came to Indiana in 1835, and settled in Henry County. Three years later they moved to Brown County, and in 1870 came to this township, and bought the farm on Section 1 5, where John M. now lives. Mr. Tomey remained on the hoaae farm until his marriage, March 30, 1856, to Catharine Prickitt, of Brown County, Ind., and a native of Ohio. She died July 13, 1878, the mother of five children - Josephus, Richard J., Elizabeth E., Mary H. and Julia A. - and a member of the Christian Church. November 16, 1874, Mr. Tomey married Mary C. Mann, also of Brown County, Ind., and a native oE Ohio. In July, 1861, he enlisted in Company G, Twenty-seventh Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and was engaged at Antietam, Winchester, Cedar Mountain, Chancellorsville, second Bull Run, Gettysburg, Resaca and Peach Tree Creek, and was discharged the evening before the fall of Atlanta, in August, 1884, as Corporal. He has served as Justice of the Peace, is a Republican, a Granger, a member of the G. A. R., and the owner of 216 acres of good land.

WILLIAM E. WHITESELL, farmer, is a native of Bloomington, Ind., was born July 17, 1833, and is the eighth of the fifteen children of Peter and Elizabeth (Akens) Whitesell, natives of Kentucky and Virginia respectively. Peter Whitesell moved to this county about the year 1824, and settled near Bloomington, where he entered land. William E. Whitesell was reared on a farm, and attended school for about six months. When about eighteen years old, he moved to Illinois for a time, where he began to work for himself. June 12, 1858, he married Eliza A. Matlock, of this county, which union gave being to five children, two of whom are living. September, 1864, he enlisted in the volunteer service, was on duty at Indianapolis, and was discharged May, 1865. He afterward came to this county and purchased 195 acres, some of which was improved. He now owns 225 acres, which constitutes a good home and farm. Mr. Whitesell has served for one term as Township Trustee, and is in political classification a Democrat. He is an upright, liberal citizen, and one generally esteemed and trusted.

Bt Wbston A. Goodspbed Indian Cession Treaties

THE territory comprising the county of Brown lies partly within the limits of two tracts of land, secured at different times from the Indians by treaty. A straight line drawn from Section 25, Township 9 north. Range 1 east, to Section 7, Township 7 north, Range 4 east, will coincide with this old Indian boundary, which extends, as will be seen by this, from southeast to northwest. All that portion of Brown County southwest of this boundary was, with other territory of which it formed a part, obtained of the Indians at the treaty of Port Wayne, on the 30th of September, 1809, and constituted a portion of " Harrison's Purchase." The boundary line was run or surveyed at this time by Arthur Henrie and William Harris. All that portion of Brown County northeast of the line, remained the property of the Indians until the treaty of October 2 to 6, 1818, at St. Mary's, Ohio, when it became with other lands the property of the Government, and constituted a part of the " New Purchase." The Indians were permitted to occupy the lands for the purpose of obtaining sustenance from the chase for the period of two years, at which time they were removed farther west to territory prepared for them. The first settlers found the Indians still here. The survey of that portion of Brown County in the " Harrison Purchase," was made in the autumn of 1812 by Arthur Henrie and William Harris, and that portion in the "New Purchase" by J. Hedges and A. C. Looker, in 1819.

Initiatory Legislative Enactments

The first known disposition made of any portion of the lands of Brown County by the General Assembly of Indiana, was at the session of 1817-18, when all south of the old Indian boundary of 1809 was made a part of Monroe County created at that time, as will be fully seen in another part of this work. This was a short time before the Indians' title to the northern portion of the county was extinguished. Probably the next dispostion made of Brown County lands was in January, 1820, when that portion north of the Indian boundary, or in the "New Purchase," together with more of the "New Purchase," was formed into Delaware County, as will be seen from Section 2, of an act approved by th^ General Assemby, January 20, 1820, as follows :

Sbction 2. TKat all the remaining part of said New Purchaselying east of the Second Principal Meridian, except so much of it as has been attached to the counties of Fayette, Jackson and Wayne, by former laws, and except so much of it aa is attached by the first section of this act to the counties named therein, be and the same is hereby formed into a new county, to be known by the name of Delaware. » * * *

By an act of the General Assembly, approved December 31, 1821, that portion of Brown County in the New Purchase, and west of the extended line dividing Sections 4 and 5, Township 10 north, Range 2 east, was made a part of Monroe County - not attached, but made a part of. By an act approved January 16, 1828, the following territory, now comprising a part of Brown County, was attached to Jackson County, to wit : Beginning on the line dividing the counties of Jackson and Bartholomew, at a point where the line dividing Ranges 3 and 4 east, of the Second Principal Meridian, intersects the same ; thence north with said line three miles to the northeast corner of Township 7 ; thence west with the line dividing Townships 7 and 8, to the line of Monroe County ; thence south to the line of Jackson County ; thence east to the place of beginning. And at the same time, by the same act, the following territory, now comprising a portion of the county of Brown, was attached to Monroe County, to wit : Beginning ai a point on the line dividing Townships 7 and 8, where the line dividing Sections 30 and 31 intersects the same; thence north with the last mentioned line to the line dividing the counties of Bartholomew and Johnson ; thence west with said line to the northeast corner of Monroe County ; thence south, to the line dividing Townships 7 and 8; thence east with the last mentioned line to the place of beginning. At the same time, and by the same act, it was provided that all territory east of Monroe County and west of Bartholomew County, not attached to Jackson or Monroe Counties, should form a part of Bartholomew County. No other change seems to have been made until the creation of Brown County in 1836. The territory composing the county was of course formed into townships, or at least attached to townships in the counties of Bartholomew, Monroe and Jackson. Bartholomew County was created in 1821, Monroe in 1818, and Jackson in 1815. That portion of Brown County attached to Monroe formed a part of Jackson and Salt Creek Townships ; that part attached to Bartholomew formed part of Harrison, Union, Nineveh and Ohio Townships, and that part attached to Jackson formed part of Salt Creek Township. In the meantime, the settlers continued to come in slowly and locate, for the most part, on the hills of Brown County. At last, in 1835, enough had arrived to warrant the formation of the county, and accordingly the Representatives in the State Legislature were requested to introduce the bill and carry it through, which in February, 1836, was done, as follows :

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Indiana, that from and after the l8t day of April next, all that tract of country Included in the following boundary lines shall form and constitute anew county, to be known and designated by the name of the county of Brown (in honor of the late Maj. Gen. Jacob Brown) : Beginning at the northwest corner of Section 1, in Township 10 north, of Range 1 west, of the Second Principal Meridian ; thence south with the Government land line twenty miles, to the southwest corner of Section 12, Township 7 north, of the aforesaid range ; thence east sixteen miles, to the southeast corner of Section 9, in the last-mentioned township, and in Range 4 east : thence north with the Government land line twenty miles, to the northeast cornir of Section 4, Township 10 north ; thence west with the line dividing Townships 10 and 11 sixteen miles to the place of beginning.

. Sec. a. That the new county of Brown shall, from and after the Ist day of April ^1,: T^ T P°r*'' *^ "Stts, privileges, benefits and jurisdictions which to separate and mdependent counties do or may properly belong or appertain. ^ T^.i. Ai,- ^*"'' .J*"«8 Alexander and AquiUa Rogers, of Monroe County, David Wnd «'?;^'°^^^il««°..<'f Bartholomew County, and Stephen Sparks, of Jackson County, be and are hereby appointed Commissioners, agreeably to the act entitled "An ^t fixing the seat of justice in all new counties hereafter to be laid off." The Commissioners aforesaid shall meet on the second Monday in August next, at the h use of James Dawson, in the said county of Brown, and shiU proceed immediately to perform the duties required of them by law ; and it shall be the duty of the Sheriff of Monroe County to notify said Commissioners, either in person or by writing, of their appointment, on or before the second Monday of July next ; and for such service he shall receive such compensation as the board doing county business in the said county of Brown may, when organized, deem just and rea3on>kble, to be allowed and paid as the other county claims.

Sec. 4. The Circuit Court and the Board of County Commissioners, when elected under the writ of election from the Executive Department, shall hold their sessions as near the center of the county as a convenient place can be had, until the public buildings can be erected.

Sec, 5. The agent who shall be appointed to superintend rhe sale of lots at the county seat of said county of Brown, shall reserve ten per centum out of the proceeds thereof, and pay the same over to such person or persons as may be appointed by law to receive the same for the use of a county library.

Sec. 6. The county of Brown shall be attached to the Seventh Judicial Circuit of this State for judicial purposes, and for Representative purposes the citizens of said county shall vote in the counties of Bartholomew and Monroe in the following manner: Those living within the territory of said new county, which was stricken from either of the counties aforesaid, shall vote with the respective counties from which they were stricken.

Sec. 7. That the Circuit Court shall be held in the county of Brown on Mondays succeeding the week of the Monroe Circuit Court, and sit three days at each term, should the business require it.

Sec. 8. That the Justices of the Peace in and for said county, when elected and qualified by a writ of eleciion from the Executive Department, shall constitute the Board of County Commissioners, and the Board of Commissioners aforesaid shall hold special sessions, not exceeding three during the first year after the organization of said county, and shall make all necessary appointments, and do and perform all other business which may or might have been necessary to be performed at any other regular session, and to take all necessary steps to collect the State and county revenue, any law or usage to the contrary notwithstanding.

Sec. 9. That the act entitled " An act providing the mode of opening and repairingpublic roads and highways in the county of Monroe " (approved February 2, 1833), and the act entitled " An act to amend the several acts regulating the jurisdiction and duties of Justices of the Peace in the several coun ies herein named" (approved February 7, 1835), be and the same are hereby declared to be in force in the said new county of Brown.

A mistake was made by the clerks of the Legislature iu the wording of this enactment, which was corrected at the succeeding session as follows :

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State iff Indiana, That the word west, when it occurs in the eighth line of the first section of said act, shall be and the same is hereby declared to be a misprint, and that the word east shall be substituted in lieu thereof, and that the boundary lines of the said new county of Brown shall be permanently established in accordance with said change.

Sec. 2. That the election of all officers, and that the proceedings of the board doing county business in said county from its first organization up to the time of the publication of this act, be and the same are hereby legalized and rendered as valid to all intents and purposes as if no misprint or mistake had occurred in the law for the formation of said county.

Sec. 3. That all fines assessed on any person or persons, citizens of said county of Brown, for the non-performance of militia duty, and the non-performance of road labor, or either of them in Monroe County, be and the same are hereby declared to be illegal, and in any case where a fine as aforesaid has been assessed and paid, the same shall be refunded to him or them or an equivalent amount of county orders. This act to be in force from and after its publication in the Indiana Democrat.

The" first thing necessary in the new county was the election of the necessary oflBcers for the management of county aifairs and the adminis- tration of justice. James Dawson was commissioned Sheriff by the trovernor, and directed to order an election of a Clerk and Recorder, two Associate Judges of the Circuit Court, and three County Commissioners. An election was accordingly held on the first Monday in June, 1836, and resulted as follows: John Floyd, Clerk and Recorder; James Taggart and Lewis F. Raper, Associate Judge; and Daniel H^drick, William Jackson and James Davidson, County Commissioners; James Dawson's commission as Sheriff was dated April 20, 1836, and was to remain in force until his successor was elected and qualified the following August. The commissions of the two Judges and the Clerk and Recorder were issued July 9 ; the County Commissioners were not commissioned, but were to begin service as soon as elected and qualified. At the August election, James Taggart became County Sheriff; William Followell, Coroner, and James Mclntire, Probate Judge.

The three County Commissioners met at the house of James Dawson, as provided by law, on the 25th of July, 1886, for the transaction of business. The first act was the subdivision of the county into townships and election precincts, as follo>vs :

Hamblen Township, bounded as follows : Beginning at the northwest corner of Section 5, Township 10 north. Range 3 east ; thence ten miles to the southwest corner of Section 20 ; thence east eight miles to the southeast corner of Section 21, in Range 4 east ; thence west eight miles to the place of beginning. Van Buren Townihip, bounded as follow^ : Beginning at the northwest corner of Section 29, Township 9 north. Range 3 east ; thence ten miles to the southwest corner of Section 8, Township 7 north. Range 3 east ; thence eight miles east to the southeast corner of Section 9, Range 4 east ; thence ten miles north to the northeast corner of Section 28, Township 9 north, Range 4 east ; thence eight miles west to the place of beginning. Johnson Township, bounded as follows: Beginning at the northeast corner of Section 30, Township 9 north, Range 3 east; thence south ten miles to the southeast corner of Section 7, Town 7 north, Range 3 east ; thence eight miles west to the southwest corner of Section 12, Township 7 north, Range 1 east, thence ten miles north to the northwest corner of Section 25, Township 9 north. Range 1 east ; thence eight miles east to the place of beginning. Jackson Township, bounded as follows : Beginning at the northeast corner of Section 6, Township 10 north. Range 3 east; thence ten miles south to the southeast corner of Section 19, Township 9 north, Range 8 east ; thence eight miles west to the southwest corner of Section 24, Township 9 north, Range 1 east; thence north ten miles' to the northwest corner of Section 1, Township 10 north. Range 1 east ; thence eight miles east to the place of beginning.

An election precinct was established at the residence of James Dawson for all that part of the county taken from Monroe County, and one at the house of James Taggart and one at the house of Cornelius Hurley, for that portion taken from Bartholomew County. Elections were ordered held in the fSur townships created on the first Saturday in September, for all the township officers except Constables. Assessors were appointed, the returns to be made by the first Monday in September. Thomas Hempson was appointed County Treasurer. Overseers of the Poor were appointed for the various townships, their names appearing in the township sketches accompanying this volume. Supervisors of Roads were appointed. At the next session the locating Commissioners appointed by the Legislature presented the following report :

We, the undersigned Commissioners appointed by the act of the Legislature of 1836, for the location of the county site of Brown County, Ind., do certify that according to said act we mef at the house of James Dawson, in said county, on the 8th of August, 1836, and on the 11th of August located the site of said county of Bro«n on Section 19, Townshi}) 9 north. Range 3 east, or a tract of fifty acrei of laud donated by James Dawson, Banner Brummet, John FoUowell, Piersou Brummet, James Huff, William Snyder, John King and Henry Jackson. Also, we have received a donation of ^150 to be paid in cash, fir which we have received a note payable to the Commissioners of said county of Brown in the following persons, to wit : Banner Brummet, James Dawson, James Huff, Pierson Brummet and J. W. Dunning. We also certify that we have named the county site Jacksonsburg. Given under our hands this 11th day of August, 1836.

The amounts claimed by the Commissioners were as follows ; Stephen Sparks, for seven days, $21 ; David Dietz, for five days, $15 ; James Alexander,. for five days, $15 ; Hiram Wilson, for five days, $15 ; total $66. This was not paid until October, 1843, after the lapse of seven years.

This report was ordered, received and spread upon the records. On the 15th of August, 183Id, the township of Washington was created, with the following boundaries : Beginning at the southwest corner of Section 36, Township 9 north. Range 1 east ; thence east sixteen miles with the township line to the southwest corner of Section 33, Township 9 north, Range 4 east ; thence four miles north to the northeast corner of Section 16 ; thence sixteen miles west to the northwest corner of Section 13, Township 9 north, Range 1 east ;, thence four miles south to the place of beginning. On the same day also Banner C.' Brummet was appointed County Agent, with bond at $4,000, and directed to lay out the county seat into lots to be sold at public auction, the first auction to be September 12, 1836. The sale was ordered advertised in Brown, Monroe, Bartholomew, Johnson and Jackson Counties, and was to continue as long as the agent deemed advisable. The terms of the sale were to be one-fourth in advance, onefourth in eight months, one-fourth in sixteen months, and the remainder in twenty-four months. On the 16th of August the County Agent was ordered to lay out the county seat, which he proceeded to do. One dollar was ordered paid for each wolf scalp, and the first claimant under this order was Willi»m Snyder, who presented the scalp of one wolf over six months old. James Dawson was appointed County Surveyor. The license for taverns in the county was fixed at $ ") ; liquor or groceries, $5; merchandise, $10; wooden clock peddlers or sellers, $8; ferry keepers, $2. The tax levied was 20 cents on each $100 valuation and $1 on each poll. John Richards was appointed Collector of the State and county revenue. After the lots of the county seat liad been laid out, Jonathan Watson and George Groves were appointed to value them, assisted by the County Agent, and the latter was instructed to sell lots at auction thereafter quarterly. Nashville at this time was called Jacksonburg. On the 7th of November, 1836, John S. Williams was appointed County Treasurer. John Floyd had been serving and continued to serve as County Clerk and Recorder, the two offices being held by one man at that time and for a number of years afterward. In January, 1837, William Snyder was appointed Commissioner of the three per cent fund, and William Jackson was appointed Seminary Trustee. All the fines of the Circuit, justices' and other courts went to this fund, which was to be used to found a county seminary when sufficient in amount. F. Goss, J. Watson and William Taggart were appointed a committee to select public lots upon which to erect county buildings. D. D. Weddel, Jonathan Watson and H. C. Weddel were appointed a committee to settle with the County Agent. They found his report to January 3, 1837, to be as follows : Fifty lots had been sold for |694.87J. Of this $91.90^ had been received in cash, and the remainder in notes according to the above conditions of sale. James Dawson was appointed Inspector of the "General Election," to be held in Brown County. All these orders were issued and business done by the County Board, which, after the first few months, consisted of all the Justices of the Peace in the county, who met as the County Commissioners now meet for the transaction of business. As high as ten or twelve met at one time. Meetings of the board were held at the house of James Dawson. The county court house and the jail were built in 1837. The tax for 1837 was 20 cents on each $100 valuation, and $1.25 on each poll. Lot No. 1 was selected for the jail, and Lot No. 2 for the court house. The board had been without funds enough to do county business, and had issued "orders," which soon began to depreciate in value. The burden then fell upon individuals, in whose hands they fluctuated. To cap the climax, the board in March, 1837, ordered that no county order should be received in payment for town lots. This served to still more depreciate the value of the orders, though they still continued to pass current at a variable point of discount. After a few years this trouble was outgrown.

The First Circuit Court

This was held on the 20th of April, 1837, before Elisha M. Huntington, President Judge, and James Taggart and Louis F Raper, Associate Judges. The first acts were the administration of the oaths of office to the Judges. The next was the consideration of a bastardy case, wherein the defendant moved to dismiss proceedings against him on account of irregularity, which motion was overruled by the court. As it appeared that a regular traverse jury had not been called for the April term of the court, and as the defendant called for a jury, the case was continued until the next term of court, the defendant giving sufficient bond for his appearance. The next case was one of slander - Pierson Brummet vs. Reuben Mathis. The plaintiff, by his counsel, moved to dismiss the suit, which was done by the court. A seal for the court was then ordered a^ lollows: "Brown County Circuit Court," inscribed in a circular form near the margin of the seal, and in the center the figure of a Western hunter leaning upon the muzzle of his rifle, with- his dog lying at his feet, the whole to be engraved on the usual material of proper diameter and thickness. Banner Brummet, David D. Weddel and John Floyd were then appointed Commissioners to view and re-locate so much of the Bloomington & Columbus State road as crossed the farms of Henry Newkirk and Robert Henderson. Court then adjourned.

The second session was begun on the 19th of October, 1837 ; present, same Judges as before. The following panel of grand jurors was summoned and took their seats. Henry Sipes, Henry Newkirk, Joseph Bracken, Asa Hatten, James Dawson, Stephen Matney, Arnold Helton, H. A. Stivers, Thomas Elkins, James Mathis, Henry Jackson, John David and Stephen Parks. There not being enough of the regular panel present, the Sheriff was ordered to summon two bystanders, which he did as follows: Aaron Mathis and D. D. Weddel; The jury was sworn and sent out. The following attorneys were then admitted to practice at the court: John Cowgill, C. W. Hester, Paris 0. Dunning, Willis A. Gorman, Louis F. Coppersmith and Sa.muel W. Smith. The bastardy case above mentioned was continued at the cost of the defendant. John Cowgill was State's Attorney. The next case was a recognizance to keep the peace - Nancy Pblly vs. Thomas Polly. Nancy, upon being called, came not, and the defendant was discharged without a day. Six cases were disposed of at this term of court. The grand jury returned ten bills of indictment - six gaming, three assault and battery, and one assault and battery with intent to murder. And so the second term ended.

The record of -the County Board shows that both traverse and grand jurors were chosen iu 1836 as follows: Grand jurors for October, 1836 - James Weddel, J. S. Williarii's, Daniel King, Eliakim Hamblen, Pierson Brummet, Robert Henderson, Robert Robertson, James S. Wood, Alfred Hicks, Griffith Davidson, Henry Jackson and John Hubbard. Traverse jurors for October, 1836 - William Whiteham, Wiley Guy, Silas Smith, Solomon Followell, Roily Sturgeon, Jacob Fleener, Stephen Motley, Hiram Mabe, Cornelius Cox, Sandy Walker, Arthur Rippy and Pleasant Weddel. Jurors were also drawn for 1837 as follows : Grand jurors for April, 1837 - David Warner, John Sinex, Asa Hatten, Cornelius Hurley, William Rippy, Simon Weatherman, William Elkins, Henry Newkirk, William Snyder, John Helton, D. D. Carrol and ; Abraham Chappel. Traverse jurors, April, 1837 - William Johnson, Israel Mullinix, William Davidson, David Siveley, James Dawson, Thomas Brown, Stephen Sparks, ~John Hoover, John Conner, George Followell, Ezra Wilson and Levi Tablet. So far as known, neither of the four juries above given, though legally appointed, served the county.

The First Probate Courts

On the 8th of May, 1837, the first Probate Court of Brown County convened at the court house at Nashville, with Judge James Mclntire on the bench. The Judge presented his commission from Gov. Noah Noble, and then opened court. There being no business, the court, after adopting a scrawl as a temporary seal, adjourned until August. On the 4th of this month the court again convened, and the first act was the appoint- ment of Alfred Young, administrator of the estate of William Rippe, deceased. Mr. Young reported on hand of the decedent's estate $608.15, besides considerable personal property reported. Ho was appointed guardian of the estate, and directed to order a sale of the personal property. The court then adjourned.

At the November term, 1837, there being no business, court adjourned. During vacation, letters of administration were issued to Banner and Esther Brummet, of the estate of James Brummet, deceased. The will of Stephen Robertson was also filed for record. At the February term, 1838, Banner and Esther Brummet were called to answer for the administration of James Brummet's estate. They reported, under oath, the following bill for record : 3 chairs, $1 ; 1 horse collar and pair of hames, 43| cents ; 1 saddle and 1 bridle, $1 ; 1 water pail, 43| cents ; 5 crocks, 50 cents ; 1 tin pan, 7 tin cups, 8 spoons, 1 coffeepot, 3 layers, and 1 set of knives and forks, $1.75: 1 bread tray and smoothing iron, 62J cents; 1 box, 1 razor, 1 horseshoe, $1.37J; 1 bed, bedding and bedstead, $6.50 ; 1 bed and bedding, $5; 1 bedding and bed, $4; money, $4.06; 1 saddle and bridle, $2.50 - total, $26.06|-. It being shown that James Brummet had died insolvent, it was ordered that the widow have all the property and pay no demands of the creditors of the deceased. The will of Stephen Robertson was read and admitted to probate. The court then adjourned. In August, Patterson C. Parker became Probate Judge, his commission being signed by Gov. David Wallace.

The First Common Pleas Court

This court was established apart from the others in 1853, and the first session was held at Nashville on the 31st of January, 1853, before Judge William Gr. Quick. T-he following attorneys were sworn to practice in the court: P. C. Dunning, Daniel McClure, Fred T. Butler, George A. Buskirk and Shadrack Chandler. The next thing was the adoption of rules governing the court. The first business was ttie consideration of the petition for dower and partition of Jane Kelley and Zachariah Kelley vs. Nancy Hamblen et al. The next was the examination of witnesses in the case of James Fleetwood for retailing liquor without a license. He was required to appear at the next term of court. And so the business continued at length.

County Buildings

The first courts were held in the residence of James Dawson. On the first Monday in February, 1837, pursuant to an order from the County Board, Banner Brummet, County Agent, let the contract of building a court house and a jail, the first to be finished according to specifications, by the first Monday in September, 1837, and the last by the 1st of November, 1837. The work on both buildings was completed withm the time specified. The court house was of hewed logs, 18x24 feet, two stories high, two rooms above, two stairways, one at each end, two windows above, with twelve panes of glass each, one room below with one door and one window with twelve panes of glass opposite to it ; fire-places m all the rooms, chinks daubed with good mortar and weatherboarded on the inside ; gable ends of building to have one window each, and to be weatherboarded. The contractor, David D. Weddel, was to receive $50 on the 1st of June, 1837, and the remainder when the building was completed. The contract of both buildings was sold at "public outcry " to the lowest responsible bidder, at Nashville, on the 7th of March, 1837, between the hours of 10 o'clock A. M. and 4 o'clock P. M. The jail built was of hewed logs, 14x14 feet, and one foot thick. There were two walls one foot apart, and each one foot thick, and the space between was filled with hewed fpot-lumber, inserted perpendicularly. The logs of the walls left no space between them. The building was two stories high, seven feet between floors, floors of twelve-inch timber, window nine inches square on each side of criminals' room, heavy iron door and windows. Fifty dollars was to be paid on the jail, August 1, 1837, and the remainder.when done. William Snyder was the jail contractor. The cost of these two buildings cannot be given, but was probably not more than $700.

This court house answered the purpose until 1853, when arrangements were made to build a brick structure to take its place. The old log structure was sold, and for a year or more the courts were held in the Methodist Church. In the fall of 1853, the court house contract was sold to John Douglas for about $6,500. The house was completed so as to be occupied by the courts in 1855, and cost when fully finished and furnished a little more than $7,000. In 1873, during a session of the Circuit Court, this building took fire and burned to the ground, involving a loss of nearly all the county records. In June, 1874, the contract of rebuilding the house on the old ruins or foundation, and' a portion of the old walls, was let to McCornjack & Sweeney, of Columbus, for $9,000, of which $4,500 was to be paid when the building was under roof, and the remainder two years after the completion of the work, with ten per cent interest. The work was performed according to contract. The building is of brick, and is two stories high, with courtroom and jury-rooms above, and county offices below. Two stairways over the main entrance on the south lead to the second story. The old jail of 1837 was used with various repairs, which were almost equivalent to a new building, until 1879, when the present hewed-log "bastile" was erected, at a cost of about $1,500. The building is two storied, is 20x12 ; four on the inside, and 8 feet 4 inches high. The old log court house is yet standing, and is used as a stable, a great depression of its former noble use.

Miscellaneous Items Of Interest

John Floyd, the first Clerk and Recorder, did not stay in the oflBce himself, but had a deputy, named Avery Magee. The assessment roll in 1837 (spring), showed 225 polls in the county. The land taxables at this time were worth $8,150, and the personal property, $44,649.94. John S. Williams furnished the court house with twelve chairs in September, 1837, and D. D. Weddel furnished a table. Banner Brummet's donation to the county was twenty acres of land. James Taggart was appointed Commissioner of the surplus revenue and the three per cent fund in the fall of 1837. The County Clerk's office was established in the log court house for the first, September 2, 1837. The note of $150, part of the donation to the county, was turned over to the jail contractor as a partial consideration for his work. William Snyder succeeded

James Taggart aa surplus revenue and three per cent Commissioner. The last named fund was used to pay for the court house '^"'^ Jfifp''"'! Considerable money was paid out for wolf scalps. In August, l»^y, tne first bridge over Salt Creek, east of Nashville, on the Columbus & JSloomington road, was built by John A.. Brown for $233. Henry Jackson was appointed Seminary Trustee in the fall of 1839. Banner Brummet still continued to serve as.County Agent. Shadrach Chandler was appointed a student at the University at Bloomington in 1841. William Taggart became agent of the surplus revenue in 1841. In 1842, Stephen Brocken was appointed a student at the State University ; in 184d, John Arwine, Jr., same ; in 1844, Walter Hotchkiss, same ; m 1845, Isaac Somsel, same; in 184o, B. Mason, same. In 1848, D. D. Weddel became County Agent. In 1863, Sylvanus Manville was County Agent. In 1863, the county took several thousand dollars in bonds in the Columbus, Nashville & Bloomington Railroad, but canceled them when it was found that the road would not be built. During the winter of 1863-64, the Treasurer's office was robbed of $3,555.59 by burglars, for whom a reward of $1,000 was offered. Neither thieves nor money were recovered. In 1869, the Morgantown & Nashville Gravel Road Company came into being, among the stockholders being James S. Hester. Harvey Coleman, R. M. Dill, Isaac Knight and' Thomas M. Adams. The entire length of the road was thirteen miles and sixty-seven rods, and the total estimated cost of grading the same was $17,130. It was decided to omit graveling the fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh miles north of Nashville, and the remainder were estimated to cost $10,200. Three miles at the south end of the road had been previously graveled and two miles at the north end, but this had to be purchased. By 1869, there was subscribed $6,120 toward building the road. The benefits to adjoining lands were assessed by order of the County Board. This project was abandoned after much had been done. It was revived in 1879 - the part between Nashville and Georgetown - when Lawson Hopper, W. D. Roberts, W. G. Quick, W. L. Cox, Isaac Chafin, Bliakim Hamblen and H. W. King asked for the right of way, which was granted. Much of the road was put in good shape and toll-gates were erected, but the collection of toll is almost wholly abandoned at present (November, 1883).

In 1869, a petition signed by over one hundred citizens was presented the County Board, asking that a two per cent donation be given to the Cincinnati & St. Louis Short Line Railroad Company, in consideration that the road should be built through the central part of the county. An election was ordered held December 11, which resulted as follows, by townships :

In accordance with this decision the tax was levied, but as the road was not built, the limited amounts paid were refunded to the tax-payers In 1876, the citizens voted " yes " to donate $7,700 to the Indianapolis & Evansville Mineral Railway, provided the line was built, and at the same time Jackson Township voted $7,600 aid, and Hamblen Township, $7,- 550 aid, for the same road, upon the same condition, but the road was not built.

County Politics

The Democracy of Bro\yn County has always been unquestionably Simon-pure. From the first, the majority was comparatively great, and never fell to a doubtful depth. The results of the earlier elections cannot; be given. At the gubernatorial election of 1856, 0. P. Morton received 220 votes in the county, while his competitor received 773, more than three and a half times as many. The vote for Common Pleas Judge was: G. A. Buskirk (Rep.), 376; W. G. Quick (Dem.), 485. Prosecuting Attorney, F. T. Butler. (Rep.), 202 ; A. D. Cunning (Dem.), 510. In 1858, the result for Representative in Congress was : James Hughes (Dem.), 548 ; W. M. Dunn (Rep.), 253 ; for Circuit Judge, J. W. Chapman (Dem.), 660 ; William Harod (Rep.), 286 ; for Prosecuting Attorney, W. S. Mavity (Dem.), 572 ; G. W. Richardson (Rep.), 241. In 1860, the vote for Governor was : Thomas A. Hendricks (Dem.), 744 ; Henry S. Lane (Rep.), 296 ; Representative in Congress, W. M. Daily (Dem.), 702 ; W. M. Dunn (Rep.), 31!t ; Representative in the State Legislature, Lewis Prosser (Dem.), 575 ; J. W. Mcllvain (Rep.), 306 ; John Beck (S. Dem.), 118. In 1862, the result for Secretary of State, a strict party vote, was : William A. Peelle (Rep.), 213 ; James S. Athon (Dem.), 840. A majority of 627, in a total vote of 1,053, was enough for all practical purposes. Having reduced the Republican vote to such a diminutive figure, one cannot help wondering why the Democracy did not wipe it wholly out. In 1864, the vote for Governor was : Morton (Rep.), 367 ; McDonald (Dem.), 823 ; Qircuit Judge, Chapman (Dem.), 828 ; Buskirk (Rep.), 360. Prosecuting Attorney Circuit Court, H. A. Downey (Dem.), 827 ; B. F. Lewis (Rep.), 360 ; Judge Common Pleas,. 0. J. Glessner (Dem.), 827 ; W. J. Manker (Rep.), 354 ; Representative in the State Legislature, John Richards (Dem.), 814; W. W. Browning (Rep.), 351. In 1864, the result for Presidential Electors was : Democratic, 821 ; Republican, 288. In 1866, the vote for Secretary of State was: M. D. Morrison (Dem.), 1,025; Nelson Trusler (Rep.)J 423; for Representative in Congress, H. W. Harrington (Dem.), 1,016 ; M. C. Hunter (Rep.), 430. In 1868, the result for Governor was : Thomas A. Hendricks (Dem.), 1,084 ; Conrad Baker (Rep.), 427 ; for Representative in Congress, John W. Knightley (Dem.), 1,087 ; John Coburn (Rep.), 425 ; Presidential Electors, Democratic, 1,080 ; Republican, 458. In 1870, the result for Secretary of State was : Norman Eddy (Dem.), 974 ; M. F. A. Hoffman (Rep.), 346 ; Representative in Congress, Thomas Cottrell (Dem.), 978 ; John Coburn (Rep.), 339. In 1872, the result for Governor was: T. A. Hendricks (Dem.), 1,166; T. M. Brown (Rep.), 467; Representative in Congress, Cyrus F. McNutt (Dem.), 1,170 ; John Coburn (Rep.), 460 ; Presidential Electors, Democratic, 957; Republican, 462; Independent, 0. In November, 1876, the result for Presidential Electors was as follows, by townships :

In 1878, the result for Secretary of State was: John G. Shanklin (Dam.), 1,166 ; Isaac S. Moore (Rep.), 378 ; Henley James (Ind.) 137. In November, 1880, the result for Presidential Electors was as follows, by townships :

The first record of a pauper claim against the county was made in the spring of 1837, by Ambrose Cobb, who was allowed $6.97, or 40 cents per week, for caring for some poor person from November 2, 1836, to March 6, 1837. After this, claims were constantly allowed on audit from the Overseers of the Poor, under whose direction the townships cared for their poor and helpless. Many or most of the early claims were settled in the townships, and were not presented to the County Board at all. Jane Sconce was a pauper who was cared for by the county for more than twenty years. She was regularly "farmed out " annually to the lowest bidder. She first came to public notice in 1846, \«hen William Gillaspy was allowed $6.65 for providing her with necessary wants for a few months. The pauper claims allowed in 1846-47 amounted to $89.75 - in 1847-48 to $231.14 ; in 1848-49 to $194.49 ; in 1855-56 to $483 73- in 1857-58 to $488.35; in 1861-62 to $553.29 ; in 1863-64 to $529 U -' in 1864-65 to $762.49 ; in 1865-66 to $968.14 ; in 1869-70 to $546 40 - m 1875-76 to $769.45; in 1879-80 to 908.84. In 1859, the County' Jioard took steps to purchase a poor-farm, but after viewing several locations and counting the cost the project was abandoned. In March 1869 the County Board purchased 244 acres of land, adjoining Nashville on the eas, of Thomas M.Adams, for $5,000, in two equal installments; the first, April 25, 1870, and the second April 25,1871, the payments to be m county bonds bearing six per cent interest. William Waltman con- tracted to erect a frame poor-house, 30x60 feet, for $1,474. The house was completed in 1870, and cost about $1,600. James Taggart was the first Superintendent. He received the use of the farm, and $3,085 for caring for the poor for three years. In 1872, Caleb Ferguson became Superintendent for $675 per year and the use of the farm. He was succeeded, in 1877, by B. R. Kelley, for $277.50 per year and the use of the farm. Thomas J. Taggart became Superintendent in 1879, and Ambrose Fraker in 1883 - the latter for $100 per year. The number of inmates ranges from eight to fifteen.

All the early fines, penalties, forfeitures, etc., were paid into a fund for the foundation and maintenance of a county seminary. Henry Jackson was the first Trustee. On the 1st of February, 1840, he reported the receipts up to that time to be $80.25. A year later the amount was $127.48, and in December, 1843, was $342.67. In 1853, when the fund was transferred to the common school fund, it amounted to $515.90.

The act creating the county provided that ten per cent of the proceeds of the sales of public lots at the county seat, should be used to found and maintain a county library. In 1840, the fund amounted to $177,601. Soon after this, the first books were bought. In 1846, William Ganla was Librarian, and R. P. Manville, Treasurer. Several hundred volumes had been bought by this time. The fund came in slowly and in small amounts, and the library was correspondingly small. In the fifties, the McClure bequest gave to the workingmen a small library of choice reading matter. The old libraries are not kept up in these days of newspapers and cheap books.

Origin Of School Funds

The common school fund was started in February, 1837, by the distribution to the counties of the State of certain moneys which had accumulated and were known as the surplus revenue. Brown County received :

The Congressional fund has arisen from the sale of sixteenth sections and other lands specially reserved for the purpose. This fund furnished about the first money for the public schools and was a godsend to the early settlers. The condition of the school lands of the county in March 1845, was as follows :

From 1866 to 1876 the fund increased by further sales to $9,765.37, and from 1876 to 1883, to $10,497.39. These two funds, amounting in all to $24,133.98 in 1883, are loaned out and the interest distributed to the townships. The Congressional school fund of the western townships of Bartholomew County is managed by Brown County. The following school statistics are for the year 1871 :

Old Settlers Association

In pursuance of a notice for the old settlers of Brown County to meet at Georgetown and make arrangements for a re-union, the following persons assembled August 28,1877: D. B. Adams, Calvin Moser, A.iS. Anderson, William Marcum, Lawson Hopper, Alfred Williams, David Crouch, John McDonald, Thomas Waltman, Sen., George Heines, Milton Fleener aijd Howard Arwine. On motion D. B. Adams was made Chairman and W. M. Waltman, Secretary. It was then decided to hold the first re-union at Georgetown on the 22d of September, 1877, and invite Judge Hester, Alfred Williams and William Mason to address the multitude. Gov. J. D. Williams and Hon. D. W. Voorhees also received an invitation to be present. William M. Waltman was selected to deliver the address of welcome to the old settlers. On motion a committee of three from each township was appointed to record the names of all persons living therein who had been in the county thirty years or more and to bring the list to the first re-union to be read and recorded. These committees were as follows : Hamblen Township - W. G. Watson, W. P. Taggart and Joshua Metheney. Jackson Township - A. S. Anderson, Milton Fleener and William M. Waltman. Washington Township - Davicl,Crouch, Alfred Williams and Lewis Rogers. Van Buren Township - J. A. McKinney, John Noblett and J. T. Ping. Johnson Township - James Sexton, Wart Elkins and Thomas Madgett. Various committees and officers were appointed to introduce everything to make the occasion enjoyable. A beautiful cane was promised the man who had lived in the county longest and was over sixty years of age ; and a hickory rocking chair to the lady longest in the county and over fifty years of age. All were asked to bring old and interesting relics. On the 22d of September, 1877, an enormous crowd gathered at Georgetown, coming from all points of the compass. The exercises were opened with music by the Nashville Cornet Band and prayer by Rev. Benjamin Woods. Mr. Waltman, in an appropriate manner, made the welcoming address. The committee to award the cane and chair

Enoch Sexton. Hon. Alfred Williams was elected permanent President of the society and W. M. Waltman, Secretary. The cane was awarded to Edward David, who was ninety-two years old and had lived in the county sixty-four years, and the chair to Margaret Graham, who was eighty years old and had lived in the county sixty-three years. The old gen- tleman, as if but forty years old instead of ninety-two, exhibited hia activity and appreciation of the gift after the fashion of ye olden time by dancing a jig to the tumultuous applause of the large crowd. A fine dinner was enjoyed and the day was passed in narrating incidents of pioneer times, which by all means ought to have been recorded. Oldfashioned speeches, full of rude eloquence and strength, were delivered by many old settlers present. Cornelius McCoy was dressed in hunter's suit and armed with rifle, tomahawk and knife. The following record was made :

The meeting of 1878 was held at Nashville, and the day was dark and rainy, but notwithstanding was quite well observed. The meeting of 1879 was also held at Nashville, and was well attended and enjoyed. So was the meeting of 1880. The re-union of 1881 was held at Goshen, three miles east of Georgetown. This was a very interesting meeting. John Prosser and wife, each eighty years of age, who had lived together sixty-three years, were presented an elegant bible. A pair of spectacles was awarded to Green Graham as the oldest person present - ninety-one years. Each of the following old settlers were presented with a stout cane, each having choice in the order of age : Martha Terhune, eightythree years of age ; Enoch Davis, eighty ; James Terhune, eighty ; Andrew Gray, seventy- eight ; James Keaton, seventy eight; Charles Smith, seventy-seven; Mary Kennedy, seventy-seven ; Mrs. A. Gray, seventyseven; William Marcum, seventy-seven; Nancy Walker, seventy-six; Mrs. William Marcum, seventy-six ; Martin Bright, seventy-six ; Jacob Frontelter seventy-two; Katie Wilson, seventy-two; James Groves, seventy-two: Jesse Gee seventy-two; David Hamblen, seventy-one ; Jesse Hamblen, seventy; Philips Hupp, seventy; Thomas Ogden, seventy; Brazilla Horner, sixty-eight; Mrs. Keaton,sixty-eight: Lewis Moser,8ixty-eight; Mrs. Samuel

Ellis, sixty-seven; James Parsley, sixty-seven; James McIIvain, sixty -seven- A. S. Anderson, sixty-five; Thomas Swift,sixty-five; Charles Walker, sixty, four; William Douglas, sixty-four; Lucinda Curry ,8ixty-four; Calvin Moses; sixty-four. The reunion of 1883, one of the best, was held at Georgetown and was largely attended. A foot-race was run by the old men present.

In October, 1879, Drs. J. M. Cook, A. J. Ralphy, J. H. Leonard, R. E. Holder, W. H. Beatty, N. Browning, James P. Hosier, T. E. Smith, E. S. Arwine, James B. Campbell, Marion H. Duncan, John F. Genolin and A. A. Took met at Nashville and organized the Brown County Medical Society, under control of and auxiliary to the State Medical Society. The object of the society, as stated in the constitution adopted, was '- to provide an organization through which the regular physicians of the county may be united in one professional fraternity for the purpose of giving frequent expressions to the views and aims of the medical profession ; to supply more efficient means for cultivating and advancing medical knowledge ; for elevating the standard of medical education; for promoting the usefulness, honor and interests of the medical profession and encouraging emulation and concert of action among its meml)ers ; for facilitating and fostering friendly intercourse between those engaged in it ; for enlightening and directing public opinion in regard to the duties, responsibilities and requirements of medical men ; and for the promotion of all measures adapted to the relief of the suffering and to improve the health and to protect the lives of the community." It was decided that any regular physician of the county could become a member of the society upon vote of two-thirds of the membership. The ethics of the American Medical Society was adopted for the regulation of the organization. A seal was adopted, bearing the legend in Roman letters : " Brown County Medical Society, organized October, 23, 1879, " and within the center a cut of the mortar and pestle. Meetings were held quite regularly at first and much interest was manifested, but lately the society has become almost defunct.

In about the year 1854, S. A. Armour establisked at Nashville the Spy, a small Democratic newspaper, subscription price $1 per year. This was the first editorial venture in the county. A subscription of about 300 was secured. Mr. Armour was at once editor, publisher, compositor and devil, and after continuing with fair success until about December, 1856, the office was sold to a company consisting of J. S. Hester, J. S. Arwine, Eugene Culley, Sylvanus Manville and perhaps others, who began publishing the Hickory Withe, a sheet of pronounced Democratic views, edited by James S. Hester, a man of excellent brain and a writer of unusual strength. Manville & Arwine were the publishers. The paper was conducted about a year, when the office was sold to a faction of the United Brethren Church, which had left the parent organization over the subject of the Mexican war. W. S. Olmstead, Eli P. Farmer, Jesse Brandon, William Taggart, Jesse Hamblen and others then immediately started the Evangelical Republican, a religious newpaper of the United Brethren Church, new organization. Jesse Brandon was the publisher. This paper was issued for some time, possibly until Jesse Brandon purchased the office early in 1861, and started the Nashville Union, of Democratic proclivity. This paper was well patronized during the fiery years of the war, and was conducted until the death of Mr. Brandon in about 1866, when Watts Adams bought the office and founded the Nashville Star, another Democratic paper, which saw a sickly existence for about eight months. The office then passed to Summers & Gaston, who issued the Democrat through a laborious life of about six months. After this a man named Winters continued the sheet three numbers, when it died for the want of breath. In December, 1867, George Sleeth secured the office and began to issue the Nashville Bemocrat, and continued until about September, 1868, and then sold out to L. H. Miller, who started the Index, another Democratic organ. This was issued until about the month of March, 1889, when it became defunct. In 1870, Yates & Allison started the Jacksonian, another Democratic newspaper, but within a few months Yates sold out to Allison, who continued the issue until March, 1883. In February, 1883, Waltman & Chafin founded the Democrat, and in March, 1883, bought the office of the Jacksonian, assuming the name the Jacksonian Democrat. Before this W. W. Browning had purchased Chafin's interest in the office. In May, 1883, John C. Hester bought Waltman's interest, becoming Browning's partner, and in June, 1883, bought the latter's share, becoming sole owner and proprietor, which he is at present, November, 1883. It will be noticed that all the above papers, except the Evangelical Republican, which was a religious sheet, were Democratic. Only one Republican paper has been published in Brown County. In about the fall of 1878, A. S. Helm started at Georgetown the Brown County Republican and continued the issue until February, 1879, when he removed the office to Nashville and resumed the issue. The political soil of Brown County was unfavorable for the growth of this Republican plant, and in about three months it withered and died for the want of financial showers and nourishment.

County Justices And Commissioners

Davidson, 1836. (In November, 1836, the Justices of the Peace assumed the county business.) Justices - William Taggart. Jonathan Watson, George Groves, Nathan Davis, Banner C. Brummet, David D. Weddel, Jacob Hentsonpiller, Frederick Goss, Hiram C. Weddel, 1836 ; John C. Marshall, William Bender, John Hampton, Joshua Boles, William S. Roberts and Thomas M. Adams, 1837 ; James Chandler, Cornelius W. Tucker, James Terhune and George Krider, 1838 ; * Jacob B. Myers, Patterson C. Parker, John Richards and David Crouch, 1839 ; John Hoover, 1840; Benjamin Chandler, Solomon S. Pressley, Joseph Hurley and William M. Mason, 1841 ; Samuel Lane and James Arwine, 1842 ; William A. Cardwell, William Sullivan, James Chandler and James M. Mabe, 1843 ; David D. Weddel, Samuel Champion, James T. Berry, John Richards and Daniel Crouch, 1844 ; Lewis F. Raper and William Galaspy, 1845. (In June, 1845, the county was divided into three Commissioners' districts, and after the fall elections Commissioners took control of the county business in place of the Justices of the Peace.) Commissioners - Joseph Kelley, 1845; William Taggart, 1845; William Bender, 1845 , John S. Arwine, 1846 ; Preston Goforth, 1847 ; Joseph Kelley, 1848; John S. Arwine, 1849; Preston Goforth, 1850; J. A.- McKinney, 1851 ; Milton Fleener, 1852 ; George Butcher, 1853 ; James Arwine, 1854; Preston Goforth, 1854; J. A. McKinney, 1855, A. A. Anderson, 1855 ; Preston Goforth, 1857 ; Eli L. Moore, 1857 ; A. S. Anderson, 1858; N. N. Maris, 1859; Wiley Spurgeon, 1860; John Richards, 1861 ; L. J. Tull, 1862 ; John Wadsworth, 1863 ; John Breedlove, 1864 ; Hannibal I. Mead, 1865 ; Thomas S. Lucas, 1866 ; John Richards, 1867 ; H. I. Mead, 1868 ; A. R. Moser, 1869 ; Robert Henderson, 1870 ; John Stilenbauer, 1871 ; Allen S. Anderson, 1872 ; Robert Henderson, 1873 ; H. I. Mead, 1874 ; B. V. Lockman, 1875 ; Thomas Waltman, 1876 ; Samuel Webber, 1876 ; John Deist, 1877 ; B. V. Lockman, 1878; Thomas Waltman, 1879; John Deist, 1880; Thomas Madgett, 1881 ; James Flint, 1882 ; William Walker, 1883.

Common Pleas Judges

The first money secured for carrying on the expenses of the county was the cash received from the sale of lots in Nashville. This amount was small, but 'the county expenses were correspondingly small. On the second day of the January term, 1837, of County Justices' Court - about six months after the machinery of the county had been set in motion - John S. Williams, County Treasurer, presented the following report of receipts and expenditures :

From September, 1837, to November, 1837, the total receipts were $24.53f, and the total expenses $24.35, leaving a balance of 18| cents. From November, 1837, to January, 1838, the receipts were $45.75, and the expenses the same. The following is the full report of the Treasurer for the first fiscal year - from May, 1837, to May, 1838 :

Militia Organizations

SCARCELY any attempt was made during the long years of peace from the formatiom of Brown County until the war with Mexico, and afterward until the rebellion of 1861-65, to maintain the organization of the county militia. During the forties a nominal organization was kept up for short periods, and several of the citizens were permitted to assume the honors of military commissions, but prior to the war with Mexico, there was scarcely a man in the county who could have boasted of having smelleol gunpowder, much less having participated in an actual war campaign. There were a few survivors of the war of 1812, who, at celebrations of the Fourth of July, were placed on the stand, eulogized and cheered. James Taggart was a commissioned oflBcer under this old militia system, as were T. M. Adams, James S. Hester and several others.

The Mexican War

On the 13th of May, 1846, the President of the United States called for troops to carry on the war with Mexico, which had just begun. Within a few days after the receipt of the news, James Taggart, T. M. Adams,- P. C. Parker, Williamson Wise, Charles Bolt and perhaps others concluded to raise a company, if possible, in Brown County for the war. A meeting was advertised to be held at Greorgetown, to raise volunteers, on which occasion a large crowd gathered. The above men headed the enlistment roll with their names, and a call was made for others and was responded toby an increase to about twenty men. Another meeting was called at Nashville soon afterward, and the number of volunteers was so increased that it was seen that the completion and organization of the company was assured. Early in June, the complete organization was effected by the election of the following officers : James Taggart, Captain; Thomas M. Adams, First Lieutenant; Patterson C. Parker, Second Lieutenant; Williamson Wise,* Third Lieutenant. The organization was fully completed on the 8th of June, and was reported thus to the Governor of the State for acceptance and assignment to the Third Indiana Regiment, which was rapidly being mustered at New Albany. On the 14th of June, orders were received from the Govefnor for the company to proceed forthwith to New Albany and there to report to the officers of the Third Regiment. The company hastily made preparations to leave on the following day - the 15th of June. They had purchased bright uniforms of bright of blue jeans and had styled themselves " Brown County Blues," a name by which they were known all through the war. The following day they left the county, followed by the

* It iB stated by Mr. Kennedy, who waa a member of the company, that the Third Lieutenant was not elected until after New Albany had been reached.

best wishes of neighbors and the tears and warna farewells of friends. A large crowd had assembled to see them leave in wagons. The company, except about ten of their men who remained behind to ari'ange their business affairs before joining their comrades, reached New Albany on the 17th of June, and were soon mustered in as Company E of the Third Indiana Volunteers, Col James H. Lane. Here the company and its regiment remained until early in July, being subjected in the meantime to constant parades and discipline to fit it for the active scenes of war. It reached New Orleans early in July, and camped upon the field made famous by Gen. Jackson. At the expiration of about a week the regiment took shipping across the Gulf of Mexico to Brazos Island, encountering on the way a severe storm. While at New Orleans, Caleb Bidwell, of the company, died of measles, his death being the first in the company. Reese Brummet and John Followell died of disease on the Gulf and were buried beneath the waves with cannon balls at their feet. Joshua Brummet and several others died at Brazos Island, and were entombed in the sand. The regiment after several months was removed to Camp Belknap where Capt. Taggart was taken sick and sent home. During his absence, Lieut. Adams commanded the company.

The regiment occupied Matamoras, Marine, Saltillo, Nueva and various other points, doing guard or garrison duty and suffering severely from the peculiar Southern diseases. At last the regiment moved back from Saltillo, and was unaware of the presence of an enemy until the long-roll called to arms on the field of Buena Vista. Gen. Taylor hastily formed his line of battle across Buena Vista Pass, and with about 5,000 troops waited the approach from the southwest of Gen. Santa Anna with 20,000 Mexicans. Capt. Taggart had regained his health at home and had joined his company on the 21st of February, 1847, the day before the battle of Buena Vista. At last the enemy could be seen moving up the Pass, and soon his swarming legions were in full vie iv and within three miles. The Third Indiana was posted on a round hill on the right side of the Pass, to support Washington's battery. The Mexicans first undertook to force the Pass in solid column, but they met such a storm of shot and shell from the battery that they were forced back in full retreat. Then it was that the Mexican commander flanked to the right and fell upon Taylor's left, forcing the Second Indiana and other troops back and gaining the rear of the American army. The Third was ordered from its position and thrown out to check the retreat, and was soon where bullets were as thick as hailstones in the air. Here the Brown County boys received their first baptism of blood and fire. The first one hurt was Elias Weddel, who was shot through the hips, and was carried from the field. Squire Stewart was prostrated by concussion from a howitzer ball. Matthew Mathews, was shot through the hand, for which he draws a pension. The fight was sharp and hot and continued until night. Just at the close of the battle, at almost the last fire from the enemy, while Company E was being thrown back, Capt. Taggart received a mortal wound from a carbine ball, which entered just over his left kidney and came out near the center of his right breast. He pitched forward on his hands and knees, exclaiming " I'm a dead man," and immediately fell over on his side. Stephen Kennedy, the only one of his company at that moment near him, car- ried him into one of the many deep ravines within a few feet of where h'^ had fallen. The firing was yet brisk over the ground there, but Kennedy remained to hear the last words of the dying man. He said substantially, " Tell my folks to meet me in the good world. Be a good soldier, Kennedy. Go on to your company." He then became unconscious, and Kennedy hurriedly left the spot amid the last shower of carbine bullets from the enemy. Capt. Taggart lies buried on the battlefield where he heroically died a soldier's death. No other casualties occurred, and Company B, commanded by Capt. T. M. A.dams, saw no more fighting. Many more of the boys died from disease before their return. After occupying various positions, the regiment started north on the 24th of May, 1847. The Brown County boys reached home early .in July, and were given a warm welcome by their relatives and friends.

The boys who went to Mexico must not be forgotten under the-shadow of the last great war. It was no holiday undertaking to go from the comparatively cold climate of the Northern States to the hot and peculiar climate of Mexico. The appalling sacrifice of life from disease abundantly attests the peril which the men were required to undergo. Many were left in lonely, deserted and forgotten graves, in that distant land, and the rugged cactus comes and kisses with its crimson blossoms the silent mounds where they sleep. The rich flowers of the stately magnolia shed their fragrant perfume around ; the long festoons of silvery moss hang weeping above the grassy graves ; the sighing wind and the tear-drops of rain come to mourn for the departed, and over all the strange, bright birds of tropical woods chant the sad requiem of death. The boys are gone, but their names are living jewels in the bright casket of memory.

The Political Feeling In 1860-61

The political campaign of 1860 had been very warm in Brown County. Every township had had its company or companies of Wide- Awakes, and scarcely a night had passed without public speaking and noisy and enthusiastic demonstration. The clubs of Democracy had uniformed themselves with hickory suits, erected poles and flung the names of Douglas and Johnson or Breckinridge and Lane to the breeze. Torchlight processions and vociferous cheering had nightly disturbed the drowsy air. The few Republican clubs were jubilant and confident. Their emblems of the campaign were rails or mauls and wedges, and they were'called Wide- A wakes. The songs of the two parties are yet fresh in the memory :

Then ho, for Douglas, ho !" When the returns were all in and the name of Lincoln was on every tongue, and the Southern Sta.tes, one after another, began to enact ordinances of secession, all wiser heads saw that the conflict had come. The slavery question must be settled either to the satisfaction of the North or the South. No evasion would answer. Many citizens throughout the county, some of them Abolitionists, believed that the Southern States had a right to peaceably secede from the Union. It was a period of political chaos. Men did not fully know their own minds. A revolution in thought on the subject of State rights, secession, slavery, etc., was ensuing, and the public mind was buffeted around by every breeze of sentiment, or fancy, or even folly. Here and there arose some intellect head and shoulders above its fellows and looked down with the impartial eye of a true philosopher upon the real and ominous state of the country. To such men the hearts of all turned anxiously for relief. When Mr. Lincoln took the reins of government, speedy relief from public gloom and embarrassment was expected ; but as time slipped away, and effective action was masked by broad generalizations and the course of the administration was clouded with apparent doubt and hesitancy, many of the best Union men lost heart. The friends of disunion looked upon the hesitancy as a practical acknowledgment that the Government could see no way under the Constitution to a settlement of existing differences. But when the blow at last fell upon Fort Sumter, and all pacific overtures from the administration, even to an avowal that no established institution of the South should be interfered with, were haughtily rejected, the mask of peace was thrown aside, and the call to arms sent a thrill of joy and hope to thousands of loyal hearts. In view of the darkness which enveloped the country at subsequent stages of the war, when it seemed certain that masses in the North would compel a cessation of hostilities and permit the Southern States to go out of the Union, the transcendent wisdom of Mr. Lincoln in throwing upon the South the responsibility of commencing the rebellion, even in the face of the most abundant promises, undoubtedly saved the country from hopeless disruption.

^Hannibal Hamlin was so dark complexioned and such a warm friend of the colored man, that it gave rise to the report among his political enemies that he was a mulatto. Albert D. Bichardsvn, the famous war correspondent of the New York Tribune, said this was actually believed by many in the South.

The Pall Of Fort Sumter

The news of the surrender of Fort Suinter, in April, 1861, caused great excitement in Brown County. Instead of subsiding, it continued to rise higher, until at last a public meeting of , the citizens was called, to be held at the court house, to take action regarding the state of the country. Several hundred persons appeared and filled the room to overflowing. Mr. CuUey was made chairman, and briefly stated the object of the meeting. Judge Hester was called out. He said that while he found fault with many acts and omissions of the administration, it was the duty of the citizens to help quell the rebellion. W. W. Browning, T. D. Calvin, Lewis Prosser and others spoke in favor of raising men to end the rebellion. Some of the speakers did not believe that the administration had the right to coerce the seceding States, and so publicly stated with considerable warmth; but the general sentiment of the meeting, as shown by the series of seven resolutions adopted, was for the enlistment of volunteers to sustain the administration in all constitutional acts to preserve the Union and enforce the laws. The meeting adjourned without taking any steps to raise volunteers, but within a few days a roll for a company was circulated, and very soon the limit of men was secured. When this was accomplished, the company was called together to elect ofiicers. James S. Hester was chosen Captain; W. W. Browning, First Lieutenant ; W. A. Adams, Second Lieutenant. This organization and election took place in the court house, not far from the 25th of April, 1861. The services of the company were immediately tendered Gov. Morton, but so prompt had been the Hoosier State to respond to the call of the President, that it was found impossible to get into the three months' service, and word was sent back by the Governor that the company was not then wanted, and that it should maintain its organization and continue drilling. This somewhat discouraged the boys and the company was almost disbanded. In July, additional calls were made for men, and the company was revived in hope of getting into the service. The officers previously elected resigned, to give the members of the company the privilege of either re-electing the old officers, or selecting new ones; but the result was the reinstatement of all the former officers. Early in July, word was received that the company was accepted, and immediate preparations were made to move to Madison to join the Twenty-second Regiment, which was being rendezvoused there. A splendid dinner was given the company by the citizens on the day of their departure for camp. Tables were spread in the court room, where the meal was eaten, and where speeches were made by Hester, Browning and others. The company was presented a beautiful banner. Wagons conveyed the boys to Columbus, thence the cars to Madison, where they became Company C, of the Twenty-second Regiment, three years' service. Here, and at Indianapolis, the company and its regiment were subjected to constant drill and discipline to fit them for the field, until the 15th of August, when the entire regiment was mustered in, and on the 17th of August was transferred to St. Louis, Mo., and there assigned to the army of Gen. Fremont. Its first service was as a relief up the Missouri River to Gen. Mulligan, at Lexington. From that on during the term of service the regiment participated in the following skirmishes and engagements : The capture of about 1,300 prisoners at Blackwater ; Pea Ridge, losing nine killed and thirty-two wonnded ; pursuit of the enemy after the evacuation of Corinth : pursuit of Bragg's army in Kentucky ; battle of Perryville, losing in killed and wounded 50 per cent of the men engaged, fifty-six being killed in battle; skirmished at Lancaster, and pursued to Crab Orchard ; skirmished at Nolensville, losing four wounded ; battle of Stone River, losing twelve killed, thirty-six wounded and thirty missing; skirmished at Liberty Gap; charge at Mission Ridge; Tunnel Hill; Rocky Face Ridge; Resaca; Rome; Dallas; Big Shanty; in front of Kenesaw Mountain; Chattahoochie River; Peach Tree Creek; battles before Atlanta; Red Oak Station ; Jonesboro ; Siege of Savannah ; Averysboro; Benton ville; and was mustered out early in June 1865, at Washington, D. C. The officers of Company C during the war were as follows: Captains - James S. Hester, W. H. Taggart, W. H. Fesler. First Lieutenants - W. W. Browning, W. A. Adams, V. P. Mason, W. H. Fesler, T. A. Pearce. Second Lieutenants - W. A. Adams, V. P. Mason, S. A. Kennedy, W. M. Gould.

Additional Volunteers

In August and September, 1861, a company was started in Monroe County and the enlistment of men was carried over to Brown County in the vicinity of Blkinsville, where one or two rousing war meetings were held, and sixteen or eighteen volunteers were secured. These men went to Bloomington, and formed a part of the company commanded by Capt. H. L. McCalla. The boys were mustered into the Thirty-first Regiment, Company G, on the 20th of September, at Terre Haute. They saw service as follows : Fort Donelson, where the regiment lost 12 killed, 52 wounded and 4 missing; Shiloh, the regiment losing 22 killed, 110 wounded and 10 missing ; siege of Corinth ; Stone River, losing 5 killed and 46 wounded ; Chickaraauga, losing 4 killed and 66 wounded ; in nearly all the skirmishes and battles of the Atlanta campaign ; battle of Nashville ; in Texas, saw service with the Army of Occupation ; reached home in 1866. So anxious were many of the boys in the county to get into the service, that they left the county without getting proper credit. They entered the various companies organized at Bloomington, Columbus, Morgantown, Indianapolis and elsewhere. This was due to the fact that the county was too small to complete many full companies wholly within its own borders, and hence the men, to get into the service at all, were forced to join other companies raised outside of the county. In this way the county was cheated out of many officers, as a few men could not have sufficient influence in such companies to receive the commissions which were so eagerly sought during the war, especially at its early stages. It is safe to say that Brown County furnished over 200 men during the year

Enlistment In 1862

A few men left the county during the spring of 1862, going chiefly into old regiments that were then in the field. On the 2d of July, 1862, came the call for 300,000 men, and on the 4th of August came the call for 300,000 more. Immediate preparations were made to clear the county quota. The militia companies which had been organized in the county were used as nuclei for the formation of two full companies. War meeting were held in all portions of the county. Among those actively engaged in raising the volunteers were W. W. Browning, D. B. Adams, John Calvin, J. K. Mcllhenny, J. M. Metheney, Jackson Woods, D. S. Story, Joseph Praker, T. J. Metheney, G. S. Bradley, W. W. Hays and others. Under the two calls for troops, two full companies were raised for the Eighty-second Regiment, one becoming Company D, and the other Company H. The officers of Company D were : W. W. Browning, Captain ; D. B. Adams, First Lieutenant ; John Calvin, Second Lieutenant. The officers of Company H were : John M. Metheney, Captain ; Jackson Woods, First Lieutenant ; David S. Story, Second Lieutenant. The companies were mustered in at Madison, on the 30th of August. The Eighty-second Regiment saw service as follows: Stone River; Hoover's Gap ; Chickamauga, losing 21 killed, 72 wounded and 29 missing ; skirmished at Chattanooga and Brown's Ferry ; charge on Mission Ridge, losing 26 men killed and wounded ; Buzzard's Roost, losing 25 killed and wounded ; Resaca, losing 25 killed ^nd wounded ; Dallas ; Kingston ; Kenesaw Mountain, and many others ; Peach Tree Creek ; in front of Atlanta ; skirmish of August 7, 1864, losing 26 men killed and wounded out of 105 men engaged ; Sherman's march to the sea ; Bentonville ; was mustered out at Washington, D. C, June 9, 1865 ; reached Indianapolis June 15.

The Draft Of October, 1862

Brown County enjoys the distinction of having been one of only fifteen counties in the State to clear themselves of this draft. The draft took place in both Morgan and Monroe, but the county of Brown, which was declared, by outside parties, to have been so disloyal, furnished more than the number of men required. By the 19th of September, 1862, she had furnished a total of 502 volunteers, out of an enrolled militia of 856, which included 163 exempts. At this time the county had 486 volunteers in the service. This was an excellent showing for the little county. It is safe to say that by the 1st of January, 1863, the county had furnished a total of 525 volunteers.

It was during this year that, like all other counties of the State, disloyal organizations were formed in Brown County. There was not a county in the State that did not have bitter disloyalty displayed within its limits during 1863, and Brown County was no exception to the rule. But that does not detract from what the county actually did to carry on the war. It is well to bear lightly on mistakes and errors. At a mass meeting in Nashville in January, 1863, it was resolved that " Our interests and inclinations will demand of us a withdrawal from the political association in a common government with the New England States," and " We demand an immediate armistice preparatory to a compromise of existing difficulties," and "general amnesty for political offenses." About the last of March, 1863, at a large mass meeting at Nashville, the following resolution, among others, was passed :

Resolved, That we trace to political priests, who have abandoned their high calling to intrude their visionary and impracticable schemes upon civil government, where his- tory shows they are, of all others, the least qualified to advise or act, and the most uaecrupulous and intolerant in carrying out their wild projects, a very large share of the terrible responsibilities of the war, its pillage and carnage, its houses of mourning, its widows and orphans, its all-pervading social, moral and political demoralization. If Solomon was right when he said that " when the righteous are in authority the people rejoice, but when the wicked beareth rule the people mourn," they must be well-nigh God-forsaken, for no one now rejoices in this nation, but thieving army contractors and abolitionists. We, therefore, exhort our conservative brethren to discountenance these clerical incendiaries by abandoning their congregations and " stopping their feed."

At another meeting in August, it was resolved that " the present fratricidal and desolating war was unnecessarily forced upon the country by wicked, fanatical politicians, North and South," and " we are opposed to furnishing men or money to prosecute a war to free negroes," and " we are in favor of immediate armistice and a national convention to restore peace and union under the Constitution." This will show about the course taken by the disloyal element of the county. It was during this year that the " Brown County War " occurred. The facts are substantially as follows : A war meeting was held in the northern part of the county, and Lewis Prosser and a companion, who had been hunting squirrels in the woods, attended with their guns on their shoulders. There was present a detachment of soldiers that had been sent to the county from Indianapolis to arrest one or more deserters who were said to have secured a hiding-place in Brown County. Prosser, who was a prominent man, and against whom the charge of disloyalty had been made, was invited to speak, but refused, as he had made no preparation, and did not care to speak then anyway. He was rather outspoken against the war, and soon had a small crowd around him. A soldier present named Daniels, who, it is said, had been drinking, hearing some remark from Prosser he did not fancy, stepped up to him, and with the statement that he had no right to be carrying a gun there, twisted the weapon from his hands. Prosser instantly drew a revolver and shot the soldier dead, and turned to leave the ground, but as he did so was shot by one of the bystanders in the leg and brought to the ground. Two or three other shots were fired, but no damage was done. Prosser afterward died from the eflfects of his wound.

Under the call of October, 1863, for 300,000 men. Brown County furnished half a company. The men (thirty-five) were recruited almost wholly by Lieut. Timothy D.Calvin inNashville and vicinity. They became part of Company I, of the One Hundred and Twentieth Eegiment, three years' service. The remainder of the company was raised at Bedford. William J. Cook, of Bedford, became Captain of the company, and T. D. Calvin, of Nashville, First Lieutenant. The regiment saw service as follows: Mustered in March, 1864; fought at Resaca; assaulted Kenesaw Mountain; fought at Atlanta; Jonesboro ; skirmished two days near Columbia, Tenn. ; battle of Franklin, losing forty-eight men, killed and wounded, included Maj. Brasher; battle of Nashville, Wise's Forks, Va., losing seven killed and forty-eight wounded ; mustered out in 1866. During the year the county furnished not less than seventy-five men, about half of whom went as recruits to the older regiments.

Under the last call of the war (December 19, 1864), one full company was raised in the county. The men were recruited mainly in January and February, 1865, and became Company K, of the One Hundred and Forty-fifth Regiment, one year's service. The officers were Volney P. Mason, Captain ; John C. Hester, First Lieutenant ; Franklin P. Taggart. Second Lieutenant. The Colonel of the regiment was W. A. Adams, of Brown County. The regiment was mustered in at Indianapolis on the 16th of February, 1865. It moved to Nashville, Tenn., thence reported to Gen. Steadman, at Chattanooga. On the 23d of February, it was placed on guard duty at Dalton, Ga., and was afterward moved to Marietta, where it remained until the fall of 1865, when it marched to Cuthbert, where it remained until it was mustered out in- January, 1866. The following table shows the condition of the county under the last call of the war (December 19, 1864) :

The Drafts Of 1864 And 1865

Two drafts occurred in the county at the close of the war; - one in October, 1864, and the other in February, 1865. The number drafted cannot be given, but the above tables give the number of draft credits. The Board of Enrollment of the Third District was as follows : Simeon Stansifer, Provost Marshal from March, 1868, to March. 1865; James B. Mulkey, Provost Marshal from March, 1865, to October, 1865; John R. B. Glasscock, Commissioner; Albert G. Collier, Surgeon. Assistant Marshals were appointed in Brown County. The drafts were not seriously interfered with.